EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company") and Colleen Birdnow Brown (the "Executive"), dated as of the 1st
day of March, 2000 (the "Effective Date").
RECITAL:
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined that it is
in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the
Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the
possible occurrence of a Business Combination (as defined below) of the Company.
The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of
the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a
possible Business Combination and to encourage the Executive's full attention
and dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any Business
Combination, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits
arrangements upon the occurrence of a Business Combination which ensure that the
compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive will be satisfied.
Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the
Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain Definitions.
(a) The "Contract Period" shall mean the period commencing on the date
hereof and ending on the second anniversary of the date hereof; provided,
however, that commencing on the date two years after the date hereof, and on
each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary
thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"), the Contract
Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate one year from such
Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company
shall give notice to the Executive that the Contract Period shall not be so
extended.
(b) "Class B Common Stock" shall mean the Class B common stock, par
value $2.00 per share, of the Company.
(c) "Common Shares" shall mean the shares of Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock treated as one class.
(d) "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, par value $2.00 per
share, of the Company.
2. Business Combination. For the purpose of this Agreement, a
"Business Combination" shall mean the consummation of a reorganization, merger
or consolidation, or sale or other disposition in one or more transactions
within the Contract Period, of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company comprising the "Broadcast Segment" as described in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K, excluding KMAZ-TV, El Paso, TX.
3. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue the
Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ
of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the
period (the "Employment Period") commencing on the Effective Date and ending on
the second anniversary of the date on which the Business Combination (or, if
more than one, on the date of the last such Business Combination) occurs (the
"Closing Date").
4. Terms of Employment. (a) Position and Duties. (i) During the
Employment Period, the Executive's position, authority, duties and
responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with
the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of
vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees
to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the
business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's
reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or
teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long
as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with
this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that
any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective
Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation. (i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which
shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to the annual base salary
payable, including any base salary which has been earned but deferred, to the
Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies as of the Effective Date
of this Agreement. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be
reviewed no more than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to the
Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually. Any
increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other
obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not
be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized
in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in
this Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" shall include any company
controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an
annual bonus in cash based upon mutually agreed-upon performance objectives for
each fiscal year of the Company during the Employment Period (annualized in the
event that the Executive is not employed by the Company for the whole of such
fiscal year) (the "Annual Bonus"). Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid in one
or more installments during or no later than the end of the third month of the
fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is
awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual
Bonus. The Company and the Executive agree that the Annual Bonus for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2000 shall be the aggregate of (A) $75,000 and (B) the
incentive bonus calculated as described on Appendix 1 to this Agreement.
(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all stock option and
incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs
applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs
provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to
both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that
such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit
opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the
Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if
more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the
Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible
for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans,
practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated
companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident
insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall
such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with benefits
which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such
plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the
Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(v) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by
the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and
procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at
any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation, tax and
financial planning services, payment of membership or club dues, and, if
applicable, use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance
with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company
and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vii) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to personal secretarial and other
assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to
the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation (not less than four (4) weeks) in accordance with the
most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its
affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
5. Termination of Employment. (a) Death or Disability. The Executive's
employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the
Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability
of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the
definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive written
notice in accordance with Section 13(b) of this Agreement of its intention to
terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the Executive's employment
with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such
notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within
the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to
full-time performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties
with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a
result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be
total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and
acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during
the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall
mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform
substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its affiliates
(other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental
illness), for a period of fifteen (15) days after a written demand for
substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company which specifically identifies the manner in
which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that the Executive has not
substantially performed the Executive's duties;
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross
misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.
(iii) the Executive's conviction of a felony under the laws of the
United States or any state thereof.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part
of the Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to
be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or
a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the
Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the
Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The cessation
of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and
until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution
duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the
entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for
such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the
Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the
Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is
guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the
Executive for Good Reason during the Employment Period. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any
respect with the Executive's position, authority, duties or responsibilities as
contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the
Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions
of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and
inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the
Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(iv) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
11(c) of this Agreement in connection with the consummation of the Business
Combination; or
(v) the requirement that the Executive relocate, move to or work out
of a geographic location which is more than 50 miles away than her current
location.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of
"Good Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for
any reason during the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary
of the Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for
all purposes of this Agreement.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause,
or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 13(b) of
this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means
a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of
the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the
Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such
notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than thirty
days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the
Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which
contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of
the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive
or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in
enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination and (iii) if the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be
the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case
may be.
6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination. (a) Good Reason; Other
Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, during the Employment Period, the
Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other than for Cause or
Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date
of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the Annual Bonus earned,
including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but deferred (and
annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or
during which the Executive was employed for less than twelve full months), for
the current fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any, multiplied by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal
year through the end of the month closest to the Date of Termination, and the
denominator of which is 365, and (3) any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any
accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum
of the amounts described in clauses (1), (2), and (3) shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and
B. the amount equal to either (1) $570,000 if the Date of Termination
occurs on or prior to the Closing Date (except as provided in clause (2) below),
or (2) if the Date of Termination occurs after the Closing Date or if the
Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the Closing Date,
and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of
employment was at the request of a third-party with whom the Company had
previously contracted to effect a Business Combination or otherwise arose in
connection with or anticipation of the Business Combination, the sum of the
Executive's Annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus payable for the current fiscal
year (which Annual Bonus, solely for purposes of this Section 6(a)(i)(B)(2),
shall not be less than sixty-three (63%) percent of the Executive's Annual Base
Salary) multiplied by two; and
C. an amount equal to the aggregate of the annual contributions
payable by the Company under its qualified defined contribution retirement plan
and any excess or supplemental retirement plan in which the Executive
participates in respect of any payment made under clause (B) of this Section
6(a), assuming for this purpose that all accrued benefits are fully vested, and,
assuming that the Executive's compensation is that required by Section 4(b)(i)
and Section 4(b)(ii).
(ii) for one year after the Executive's Date of Termination, or such
longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program,
practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or
the Executive's family at least equal to those which would have been provided to
them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies described in
Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive's employment had not been
terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any
time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families, provided, however, that if the
Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive
medical or other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the
medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those
provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility. For
purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of commencement of
benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans,
practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to have
remained employed until one year after the Date of Termination and to have
retired on the last day of such period;
(iii) the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the
Executive with outplacement services and reimbursement for legal expenses in an
amount not to exceed $10,000, in the aggregate, the scope and provider of which
shall be selected by the Executive in her sole discretion; and
(iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall
timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to
be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any
plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and
its affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Other Benefits").
(b) Incentive Plan. The Company shall vest the Executive fully under
the Company's 1990 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan") in respect of
all stock options and restricted stock awards granted, outstanding and
unexercised, as if and to the full extent that a "Change of Control" had
occurred under the Incentive Plan, if the Executive is entitled to the benefits
described in Section 6 (a)(i) above. Such vesting shall occur on the earlier of
the Date of Termination or the Closing Date. The Executive shall be entitled to
exercise any non-qualified stock options for a period of three (3) years after
the date such options shall fully vest.
(c) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives
under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the
timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid
to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of
Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall
include, without limitation, and the Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries
shall be entitled to receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable
benefits provided by the Company and affiliated companies to the estates and
beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and such affiliated companies
under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits,
if any, as in effect with respect to other peer executives and their
beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive's estate and/or the
Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of the Executive's death
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies and their beneficiaries.
(d) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason
of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for payment
of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits.
Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within
30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other
Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(d) shall
include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date
to receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable
of those generally provided by the Company and its affiliated companies to
disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans,
programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect
generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any
time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies and their families.
(e) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's employment
shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation
to pay to the Executive (x) her Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore
unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment
Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations
and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days
of the Date of Termination.
7. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent
or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section
13(e), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the
Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of
its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or
program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its
affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be
payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or
agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8. Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The
Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all
legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of
any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or
others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision
of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result
of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this
Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable
Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and
except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any payment
or distribution by the Company or its affiliates to or for the benefit of the
Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any
additional payments required under this Section 9) (a "Payment") would be
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or
penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such
excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be
entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount
such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation,
any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto)
and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an
amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(a), if it
shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but
that the present value as of the date of the Business Combination, determined in
accordance with Sections 280G(b)(2)(ii) and 280G(d)(4) of the Code (the "Present
Value"), of the Payments does not exceed 110% of the greatest Present Value of
Payments (the "Safe Harbor Cap") that could be paid to the Executive such that
the receipt thereof would not give rise to any Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up
Payment shall be made to the Executive and the amounts payable to the Executive
under this Agreement shall be reduced to the maximum amount that could be paid
to the Executive such that the Present Value of the Payments does not exceed the
Safe Harbor Cap. The reduction of the comments payable hereunder, if applicable,
shall be made by reducing first the payments under Section 6(a)(i)(B), unless an
alternative method of reducing the Payments to the Safe Harbor Cap, only amounts
payable under this Agreement (and no other Payments) shall be reduced. If the
reduction of the amounts payable hereunder would not result in a reduction of
the Present Value of the Payments to the Safe Harbor Cap, no amounts payable
under this Agreement shall be reduced pursuant to this provision.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up
Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions
to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by McGladrey &
Pullen, LLP, or such other certified public accounting firm as may be designated
by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of
the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such
earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting
Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group
effecting the Business Combination, the Executive shall appoint another
nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required
hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting
Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne
solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this
Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the
receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result
of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of
the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that
Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been
made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any
Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment
that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by
the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by
the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed
in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such
claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive
shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following
the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period
ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due).
If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such
period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the
Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including,
without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by
an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to
contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to
such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all
costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in
connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive
harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including
interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such
representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the
foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all
proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may
pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its
sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a
refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees
to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal,
in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the
Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the
Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the
amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall
indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any
Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto)
imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with
respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute
of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the
Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is
limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of
the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment
would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or
contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue
Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by
the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive
any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to the
Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited
thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive
of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination
is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to
such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its
intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after
such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be
required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent
thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary
capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information,
knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated companies,
and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive
during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts
by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this
Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment with the Company,
the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as
may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any
such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those
designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of
this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts
otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
11. Successors. (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and
without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the
Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's
legal representatives.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) Unless waived in writing by the Executive, the Company will
require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or
assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in
the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to
perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement,
"Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to
its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this
Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
12. Special Payments by Lee Enterprises ("Lee"). (a) Stay Bonus. If a
Business Combination occurs and Executive chooses to remain in the employ of Lee
following the consummation of the Business Combination, Lee shall pay the
Executive an amount equal to the aggregate of (i) $670,000 and (ii) the Annual
Bonus payable to Executive pursuant to Section 4(b)(ii). Fifty (50%) percent of
the amount will be payable in cash or Common Stock (valued as described below)
as the Executive may elect, within 30 days after the consummation of the
Business Combination. The remaining fifty (50%) percent shall be paid by a grant
of restricted shares of Common Stock of Lee equal to the quotient of (i) the
amount payable to the Executive in the first sentence of this Section, divided
by (ii) the average closing price of the Common Stock of Lee for the five (5)
business days immediately preceding the Closing Date. In such event this
Agreement shall terminate as of the date of receipt of such payment and, upon
termination of this Agreement, neither party shall have any obligation to the
other under the terms of this Agreement including, without limitation, the
provisions of Sections 4 and 6 hereof.
(b) Severance Payment. If a Business Combination occurs and Executive
is employed by Lee on the Closing Date of the Business Combination, but does not
chose to remain in the employ of Lee under clause (a) above, Lee shall pay the
Executive in cash an aggregate amount equal to $570,000 and the Annual Bonus
payable under Section 4(b)(ii) of this Agreement.
13. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa, without reference to
principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of
the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not
be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
Colleen Birdnow Brown
7 Wildhorse Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722
If to the Company:
Lee Enterprises, Incorporated
400 Putnam Building
215 N. Main Street
Davenport, Iowa 52801-1924
Attention: Chairman and CEO
With copy to:
Lane & Waterman
220 N. Main St., Ste. 600
Davenport, Iowa 52801
Attn: C. D. Waterman III
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any
right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(iv) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company
has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of
the day and year first above written.
/s/ Colleen Birdnow Brown
------------------------------------
Colleen Birdnow Brown
LEE ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
By: /s/ Richard D. Gottlieb
------------------------------------
Richard D. Gottlieb
Chairman and CEO
APPENDIX 1
1. Aggregate sales price $525,000,000 or greater $70,000*
of Broadcast Group 500-524,999,999 60,000
400-499,999,999 50,000
2. Annual OCF goal 100% or greater $70,000*
99% 65,000
98% 60,000
less than 98% 50,000
3. Up to $60,000 will be awarded
based on qualitative assessment $60,000*
of sales process by CEO and COO.
TOTAL BONUS OPPORTUNITY $200,000*